FIXED DEPARTURE
ESCORTED SMALL-GROUP TOURS 2012
In 2012 we are offering an expanded range of fixed-departure soft adventure small group tours, some of which feature minor rural festivals where you will be able to mix casually with the locals on the sidelines, uncrowded by other tourists.
Although you might normally be an independent traveller, joining a small group of like-minded travellers (minimum 6 maximum 8 people) escorted by one of our company guides is a safe, hassle-free way of experiencing exotic rural areas of PNG and allows you to concentrate on enjoying the experience and capturing some of the most stunning cultural photography available anywhere in the world (Bob Nelson one of our past travellers invites you to drool over his PNG collection at www.bobnelsonimages.com)
The sign-up tours featured on this page are complete tour programs including internal air travel, accommodation, activities and most meals. Individuals, couples, families or small groups may reserve a place on any tour by paying a 20% booking deposit. The final balance is due 2 calendar months before the tour (this gives us time to re-sell your place to a waitlisted or standby traveller if you don't confirm by then).
You can book direct with us - just send us an e-mail - or through your local travel agency for the same price. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

BOOKING NOTES:
1 If you have your own group of 6+ we can operate your preferred tour as private trip for your group.
2 If there is sufficient interest in any particular tour we may operate two or more parallel but separate tour groups each with its own tour leader, own transport etc.
3 Dates for some of the minor local festivals are not yet confirmed and we are working hard to urge the local organising committees to confirm 2012 dates ASAP.
4 All prices are per-person twin share. Single supplement for or all escorted tours is a flat 20% for single room/single tent where available.
5. 20% earlybird discount off the tour price is available if you pay in full at the time of booking at least 6 months prior to the tour (standard cancellation and refund conditions apply).
6. If you are paying by remittance in a foreign currency eg US dollars, the final value of the tour in that foreign currency will be determined by the inward TT rate for that currency as published by our bank 2 calendar months before the tour (unless you have paid in full prior to that date, in which case our bank's inward TT rate at the time of your full payment will be applied and will be final).
See also our general booking conditions page and the terms and conditions printed on page 2 of your invoice.

OUR MONTHLY CURRENCY CONVERSION RATES
To convert our advertised tour prices from PNG kina into other currencies for quotation purposes:
For USD$ multiply our kina price by 0.4900
For AUD$ multiply our kina price by 0.4800
For EURO multiply our kina price by 0.3800
Other currency rates on application.
The above conversion rates will be used to generate quotations until 31 JAN 2012

MARCH 2012 - MT HAGEN TO MADANG EXPEDITION
13 nights Mt Hagen, Simbai, Ramu River, Manam Island, Madang
TOUR DATES: TUE06MAR-MON19MAR
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, scenic trekking in the archaeologically dated Kaironk River valley, exotic Simbai culture, motor canoe journey down the Ramu River, boat trip to Manam Island active volcano, coastal village stay,
TOUR PRICE: PGK14,850
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

MARCH 2012 - SEPIK AND KARAWARI RIVER EXPEDITION

13 nights Port Moresby, Madang, Wewak, Kairiru Island, Middle Sepik, Blackwater Lakes, Karawari River, Mt Hagen

TOUR DATES: TUE13MAR-MON26MAR
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Madang village stay, Kairiru singsing performance, Sepik spirit houses and crocodile cult, remote Blackwater Lakes and Karawari River villages
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,500
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

APRIL 2012 - GOGODALA CANOE FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Daru, Balimo (festival) and Gama River (expedition)

TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Remote Balimo lake community, spectacular giant war canoes, colourful Gogodala tribal art, no other tourists, untouched Gama River villages, prolific wetlands bird life
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

APRIL 2012 - ANZAC DAY TOUR

7 nights Port Moresby (Anzac Day dawn service), Owers Corner, Popondetta, Buna/Gona, Kokoda

TOUR DATES: WED18APR-WED25APR
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Bomana War Cemetery, Owers Corner, Anzac Day service, Buna/Gona/Kokoda battlefields, historical guide
TOUR PRICE: PGK8,400
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8 + 8
Also:

ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION 2012 - DAWN SERVICE DAY TOUR ONLY

MAY 2012 - EM208 GOROKA COFFEE FESTIVAL TOUR
13 nights Lae, Goroka (festival), Mt Hagen, Simbai, Madang
TOUR DATES: WED23MAY-TUE05JUN
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Goroka villages, bi-annual Coffee Festival with huge singsing program, scenic road trip to Mt Hagen, exotic Simbai men wearing enormous headdresses, Madang village stay
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

MAY 2012 - DIVINE WORD UNI CULTURE FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Mt Hagen, Simbai, Madang (festival)
TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: highlands villages, exotic Simbai culture, Madang village stay and campus singsing festival
TOUR PRICE: PGK14,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

MAY 2012 - SEPIK AND KARAWARI RIVER EXPEDITION
13 nights Port Moresby, Madang, Wewak, Kairiru Island, Middle Sepik, Blackwater Lakes, Karawari River, Mt Hagen
TOUR DATES: TUE01MAY-MON14MAY
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Madang village stay, Kairiru singsing performance, Sepik spirit houses and crocodile cult, remote Blackwater Lakes and Karawari River villages
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,500
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JUNE 2012 - TUFI CULTURE FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Goroka, Madang, Tufi (festival),

TOUR DATES: FRI01JUN-MON11JUN
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, Madang village stay, Tufi village stay, colourful traditional singsings and spectacular tropical fjord scenery
TOUR PRICE: PGK14,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8 + 8

JUNE 2012 - JIWAKA CULTURAL SHOW TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Mt Hagen (festival), Simbai, Madang

TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, rural festival with no tourists, exotic Simbai culture, Madang village stay
TOUR PRICE: PGK12,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JUNE 2012 - WAHGI VALLEY CULTURAL SHOW TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Mt Hagen (festival), Simbai, Madang

TOUR DATES: FRI08JUN-MON18JUN
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, rural festival with no tourists, exotic Simbai culture, Madang village stay
TOUR PRICE: PGK12,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JUNE 2012 - PAPUAN GULF MASK FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Kerema (festival), Ihu, Purari River delta

TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Revival of old Gulf mask culture, giant fabric-covered frame head dresses, Purari River motor canoe expedition and search for the lost Purari delta long-house culture
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JULY 2012 - NATIONAL MASK FESTIVAL CYCLING TOUR
9 nights Port Moresby, Rabaul (festival), Kavieng, Namatanai
TOUR DATES: TUE17JUL-THU26JUL
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Rabaul 3 days festival and scenic cycling, spectacular Kavieng harbour and Tsoi Island village stay, cycle the Buluminski Highway to Namatanai
TOUR PRICE: PGK12,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JULY 2012 - CAMERON CULTURE FESTIVAL AND UGWABENA FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Alotau (festival), Kiriwina Island (festival)

TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Alotau villages, sightseeing and local community festival, Kiriwina Island villages, sightseeing and tourist festival
TOUR PRICE: K12,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JULY 2012 - TROBRIAND ISLANDS YAM FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Alotau, Trobriand Islands (festival)

TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Alotau villages and sightseeing, touring smaller Trobriand Islands (Munuwata, Tuma) and participate in village yam festival on Kitava Island
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JULY 2012 - MT HAGEN TO MADANG EXPEDITION
13 nights Mt Hagen, Simbai, Ramu River, Manam Island, Madang

TOUR DATES: TUE03JUL-MON16JUL
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, scenic trekking in the archaeologically dated Kaironk River valley, exotic Simbai culture, motor canoe journey down the Ramu River, boat trip to Manam Island active volcano, coastal village stay,
TOUR PRICE: PGK14,850
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

JULY 2012 - GARDEN ART SHOW AND ORCHID EXTRAVAGANZA TOUR
3 nights Port Moresby
TOUR DATES: FRI20JUL-MON23JUL
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: The Garden Art Show and the PNG Orchid Extravaganza are held in the Parliament House Great Hall and Gardens - entry by invitation only and you are invited!
TOUR PRICE: PGK4,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8 + 8

AUGUST 2012 - EM201 MT HAGEN SHOW AND SEPIK CROCODILE FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Wewak, Wewak Islands, Sepik River, Mt Hagen
TOUR DATES: FRI03AUG-MON13AUG
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Muschu Island beach village, Kairiru Island cultural performance, crocodile festival at Ambunti, Paiya Sing-sing, Mt Hagen Show.
TOUR PRICE: PGK17,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8 + 8

AUGUST 2012 - MT HAGEN SHOW, SIMBAI AND MADANG TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Mt Hagen, Simbai, Madang

Tour not yet confirmed as we are currently boycotting the Mt Hagen Show committee's proposal to increase the cost of tourist entry passes in 2012 from PGK300 to PGK400 for two days entry despite the shocking conditions in the tourist enclosure at the 2011 show (mud pools, rubbish, broken fencing, no shelter) .

SEPTEMBER 2012 - NATIONAL DRUM AND FLUTE FESTIVAL AND MIDDLE SEPIK FESTIVAL TOUR
12 nights Port Moresby, Wewak (festival), Wewak Islands, Sepik River (festival), Madang, Goroka
TOUR DATES: SAT01SEP-THU13SEP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: National ethnomusicology festival at Wewak + small local festival at Palimbe village celebrating the Middle Sepik crocodile cult
TOUR PRICE: PGK14,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

SEPTEMBER 2012 - GOROKA SHOW AND KALAM CULTURE FESTIVALTOUR
10 nights Goroka (festival), Mt Hagen, Simbai (festival), Madang
TOUR DATES: WED12SEP-SAT22SEP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Two contrasting festivals, village tours in Goroka and Mt Hagen, scenic journey along the Highlands Highway, exotic Simbai
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8 + 8 + 8

SEPTEMBER 2012 - KALAM CULTURE FESTIVAL AND RAMU RIVER EXPEDITION
10 nights Port Moresby, Mt Hagen, Simbai (festival), Ramu River, Bogia, Manam Island, Madang
TOUR DATES: TUE18SEP-SAT29SEP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Exotic rural festival, little-visited Ramu River, active volcano
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

SEPTEMBER 2012 - SOGERI SINGSING TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Sogeri (festival), Goroka, Madang
TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Selection of traditional dances from around PNG performed by Sogeri high school students selected from all provinces.
TOUR PRICE: PGK12,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

SEPTEMBER 2012 - LUKSAVE ART EXHIBITION TOUR
3 nights Port Moresby
TOUR DATES: FRI21SEP-MON24SEP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: A cross section of what is happening in the PNG contemporary art scene. Around 200 works from between 50 and 70 artists from across the country. Opportunities to meet artists and connoisseurs, and purchase art works. Includes tours around Port Moresby
TOUR PRICE: PGK3,500 PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

SEPTEMBER 2012 - ARAPESH CULTURE FESTIVAL TOUR
13 nights Port Moresby, Wewak, Wewak Islands, Dagua (festival), Sepik River, Madang, Goroka
TOUR DATES: SUN23SEP-SAT06OCT
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Small local festival with no tourists, canoe down the Sepik River overnighting in villages, Madang village stay, Goroka mudmen
TOUR PRICE: PGK15,500
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

OCTOBER 2012 - MT HAGEN TO MADANG EXPEDITION
13 nights Mt Hagen, Simbai, Ramu River, Manam Island, Madang

TOUR DATES: TUE02OCT-MON15OCT
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, scenic trekking in the archaeologically dated Kaironk River valley, exotic Simbai culture, motor canoe journey down the Ramu River, boat trip to Manam Island active volcano, coastal village stay,
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

OCTOBER 2012 - MALINGUAT SEPIK TRIBAL ARTS FESTIVAL AND LAKE KUTUBU KUNDU DRUM FESTIVAL TOUR
12 nights Port Moresby, Wewak, Sepik River (festival), Mt Hagen, Lake Kutubu (festival)
TOUR DATES: WED10OCT-MON22OCT
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Small local festival near Sepik River, canoe travel down the Sepik, new WWF-spopnsored festival at Lake Kutubu
TOUR PRICE: PGK14,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

OCTOBER 2012 - MOROBE SHOW TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Mt Hagen, Simbai, Madang, Lae (festival)
TOUR DATES: FRI19OCT-MON29OCT
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands and coastal villages, exotic Simbai tribes, major cultural festival with over 70 sing-sing groups
TOUR PRICE: PGK14,000
PLACES AVAILABLE:

OCTOBER 2012 - RAI COAST KANGAL FESTIVAL AND MOROBE SHOW TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Goroka, Madang, Saidor (festival), Lae (festival)

TOUR DATES: SUN21OCT-TUE30OCT
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, rural Madang festival with no tourists, major regional Show
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

OCTOBER 2012 - TWIN FESTIVALS TOUR
12 nights Lae (Morobe Show festival), Goroka, Port Moresby, Alotau (Canoe Festival), Trobriand Islands

TOUR DATES: FRI26OCT-TUE06NOV
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Two major festivals, Highlands villages, exotic Islands of Love
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

OCTOBER 2012 - MOROBE SHOW WEEKENDER
4 nights Goroka, Lae (festival)

TOUR DATES: THU25OCT-MON29OCT
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Goroka villages, major sing-sing festival
TOUR PRICE: PGK6,000 includes domestic air
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8 + 8

NOVEMBER 2012 - SEPIK AND KARAWARI RIVER EXPEDITION
13 nights Port Moresby, Madang, Wewak, Kairiru Island, Middle Sepik, Blackwater Lakes, Karawari River, Mt Hagen
TOUR DATES: TUE06NOV-MON19NOV
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Madang village stay, Kairiru singsing performance, Sepik spirit houses and crocodile cult, remote Blackwater Lakes and Karawari River villages
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,500
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

OCTOBER 2012 - FUZZY WUZZY ANGELS FESTIVAL TOUR
7 nights Port Moresby, Popondetta, Buna/Sanananda/Gona, Kokoda (festival)

TOUR DATES: MON29OCT-MON05NOV
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Bomana War Cemetery, Owers Corner, Buna / Sanananda / Gona / Kokoda battlefields, Kokoda tribal dancing
TOUR PRICE: PGK8,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8 + 8

OCTOBER 2012 - MILNE BAY ISLANDS EXPEDITIONARY CRUISE (LAE TO ALOTAU) 13 nights Lae, Kiriwina Island, Munuwata Island, Toma Island (Island of the Dead), Kitava Island, Vakuta Island, Amphlett Islands, Fergusson Island, Normanby Island, Alotau (Canoe Festival), Port Moresby

TOUR DATES: TUE23OCT-MON05NOV
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Shore excursions on remote islands in the Trobriands and D'Entrecasteaux group seldom visited by tourists.
TOUR PRICE: PGK25,000 PLACES AVAILABLE: 10
Proposed vessel: EMVE NJOY (not the QE2 but cute and comfortable)

NOVEMBER 2012 - MILNE BAY ISLANDS EXPEDITIONARY CRUISE (ALOTAU TO LAE) 13 nights Port Moresby, Alotau (Canoe Festival), Normanby Island, Fergusson Island, Amphlett Islands, Vakuta Island, Kitava Island, Toma Island (Island of the Dead), Munuwata Island, Kiriwina Island, Lae

TOUR DATES: FRI02NOV-THU15NOV
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Shore excursions on remote islands in the Trobriands and D'Entrecasteaux group seldom visited by tourists.
TOUR PRICE: PGK25,000 PLACES AVAILABLE: 10
Proposed vessel: EMVE NJOY (not the QE2 but cute and comfortable)

NOVEMBER 2012 - MILNE BAY CANOE FESTIVAL WEEKENDER
4 nights Port Moresby, Alotau

TOUR DATES: THU01NOV-MON05NOV
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Tours around Port Moresby and Alotau plus the canoe festival itself.
TOUR PRICE: PGK5,000 all inclusive
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

NOVEMBER 2012 - MILNE BAY CANOE FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Alotau, Trobriand Islands

TOUR DATES: FRI02NOV-MON12NOV
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Major festival at Alotau plus a full week in the Islands of Love to explore smaller communities away from the main island (Kiriwina)
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

NOVEMBER 2012 - RABAUL FRANGIPANI FESTIVAL TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby, Goroka, Madang, Rabaul (festival), Kavieng

TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands and coastal villages, contemporary community festival, Kavieng island stay
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

NOVEMBER 2012 - TRADITIONAL POTTERY TOUR
10 nights Port Moresby - Tufi - Lae - Madang - Sepik River

TOUR DATES: TBA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Zumin pottery show, traditional cooking with clay pots
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

DECEMBER 2012 - MT HAGEN TO MADANG EXPEDITION
13 nights Mt Hagen, Simbai, Ramu River, Manam Island, Madang

TOUR DATES: TUE04DEC-MON17DEC
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands villages, scenic trekking in the archaeologically dated Kaironk River valley, exotic Simbai culture, motor canoe journey down the Ramu River, boat trip to Manam Island active volcano, coastal village stay,
TOUR PRICE: PGK16,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

DECEMBER 2012 - CHRISTMAS IN PNG AND SOLOMON ISLANDS TOUR
13 nights Port Moresby, Goroka, Madang, Simbai, Honiara, Gizo (Christmas)
TOUR DATES: SUN16DEC-SAT29DEC
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Highlands and coastal villages, exotic Simbai, village-style Christmas at Vori Vori village near Gizo
TOUR PRICE: PGK18,000
PLACES AVAILABLE: 8

FEBRUARY 2013 - NORTH COAST VOLCANOES EXPEDITIONARY CRUISE (LAE TO WEWAK) 13 nights Lae, Umboi Island, Long Island, Bagabag Island, Madang, Karkar Island, Manam Island, Schouten Islands, Wewak Islands, Wewak.

TOUR DATES: TUE05FEB-MON18FEB 2013
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Visit a selection of active volcanic cones along PNG's north coast, rarely visited due to no regular shipping or air services. Shore excursions to thermal areas, craters and isolated villages.
TOUR PRICE: PGK25,000 PLACES AVAILABLE: 10
Proposed vessel: EMVE NJOY (not the QE2 but cute and comfortable)

FEBRUARY 2013 - NORTH COAST VOLCANOES EXPEDITIONARY CRUISE (WEWAK TO LAE) 13 nights Wewak, Wewak Islands, Schouten Islands, Manam Island, Karkar Island, Madang, Bagabag Island, Long Island, Umboi Island, Lae.

TOUR DATES: TUE19FEB-MON04MAR 2013
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Visit a selection of active volcanic cones along PNG's north coast, rarely visited due to no regular shipping or air services. Shore excursions to thermal areas, craters and isolated villages.
TOUR PRICE: PGK25,000 PLACES AVAILABLE: 10
Proposed vessel: EMVE NJOY (not the QE2 but cute and comfortable)